Come this October 28, 2006, Mercury, the planet of quick wit and communication, turns retrograde once again. Before you stick your head in the sand and avoid living life for the duration of this period, it's worth understanding what this planetary phenomenon is really all about.
In simple terms "retrograde" means that a planet appears to be moving "backward" in its orbit, explains Ray Sette, psychic astrologer and author of The Planets Align So Rare. The planet doesn't actually stop and change direction. It's an illusion that has to do with the relative position of the Earth and the view of the planet from the Earth itself. "What affects us here on our planet is the "vibration" of the light and "energy" that travels toward the planet," adds Sette.
So when a planet does go retrograde, it really means that the properties of that planet are overturned. Since the eighth largest planet is associated with messages, commerce, travel and thievery, we can expect lovely things such as delays, traffic jams, misunderstandings and computer crashes. Signing on the dotted line is a no-no.
Obviously these things cannot always be avoided so exercise undue diligence. In other words, make sure you read the fine print and always have a plan B.
Also, one has to consider which sign the retrograde falls under. All areas of communication are affected but because the retro is in Scorpio, matters related to hidden things, sexual encounters, passionate commitments, jealousy, investigations become particular points of contention.
Here are some ways to make the most out of this pesky back spin:
Practice Awareness
Mercury retro in Scorpio brings about a sharp, sarcastic tongue. People generally tend to be stubborn, difficult to get along with and downright rude, explains Lynda Forbes, author of the Tarot of Recovery. This is because people are holding on to things and becoming resentful and highly combustible.
And considering Scorpio is a highly sexual sign, advances and sexually colored statements are also more likely to be misconstrued.
Therefore tune in to your emotions and when someone blows up at you, remember that it's an easy time to lose your equilibrium.
Dig Deep
Scorpios have a natural predilection for investigation. This water sign is good at uncovering hidden information, which is why you can make this time work for you. Look within and uncover your secret self, adds Forbes.
"Consider slowing down and think about what is happening in your life; where you are going. Here's an opportunity to gain insight into your own ego especially since Scorpio is the sign of transformation."
Mercury also sends us back to savor the lessons and joys of history. It's time to do what should've been done a long time ago, to visit people from the past, examine the soul, deal with unfinished work or unmet challenges, and get some needed rest and recreation.
Monitor your thoughts
During this particular retrograde our minds want to latch onto an issue and process it until it's done, no matter how uncomfortable. Therefore there is the likelihood of fixating and obsessing. However, we can also choose what to focus on. Contemplate re-evaluating your thought process and policing your dialogue, says Sette.
The first step, which is also the hardest when you are caught up in the emotion of the moment, is to identify that you're in a negative thought spiral. Using profanities and words like idiot, stupid, jerk, and disgusting can serve as clues. Pointing fingers is also not a good thing. Name calling and blame never lead to a solution.
Next, infuse a positive thought into your mind. Scan the room for something uplifting. Take a deep breath and allow more positive thoughts to drift in. Soon, you'll have established a positive thought pattern. This is when you can go back to the task at hand.
The emotional influence of Scorpio sharpens our instincts, but makes us less sympathetic. Secrets will come to light, often to the discomfort of those concerned. So it's good to remember that we change our life by changing our thoughts, says Sette.
The storm is finally over on December 5, 2006. As a rule Mercury turns retrograde three times a year.
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